HARBOUR BOARD FINANCES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 75, 21 December 1937, Page 14

HARBOUR BOARD FINANCES

£8919 Debit Without Taking Rate Into Account STATISTICS OF TRADE A debit balance of £8918 for the year just ending "is shown in the finances of the Napier Harbour Board, aceording to a statement made . J by Mr T. M. Geddis, chairman of the Napier Harbour Board, in his annual report to the board yesterday. This figure compares with a commencing debit of £541, but does not, of course, take into account rates. struck for 1936-37 which will be brought into the financial year 1937-38. "The position is satisfactory, having regard to all the circumstances," says Mr Geddis, "but in the coraing year we have to face the full effeets of a number of adverse factors, including wage increases, overtime costs, extra costs of supplies; and loss of revenue due to reductions made in our rental income. The total adverse effect of all of these items in the coming year is difficult to estimate accurately at this stage, but will probably amount to not less than £5600 in addition to the last year's figures. "Now that the eompletion of the Breakwater harbour scheme is within sight, it will soon be desirable for the board to prepare for the new operating conditions which will become necessary when all shipping is accommodated at the wharves. Bylaws, charges, systems of work the port, and many other things will require to be overhauled. Of vital importance also will be the need for a commereial survey of the district served by this port, for the purposes of ascertaining the po- _ tential business available and securing the maximum trade consistent with Napier's new importance as a first-class port." Mr Geddis submitted the following items of comparative figures, relating to the trade of the port: —

Pxincipal itmes of revenue for the past two years are shown below for purposes of comparison: —

1935/36 1936/37 Benzine and kerosene (tons) 5175 7816 Cement & lime (tons) . 6938 6334 Coal & Coke (tons) . . 16760 19392 Coal (.Govt.) (tons) . . 5106 9253 General cargo (tons) . 65679 65779

IMPORTS.

Dairy produce (tons) . 5387 4728 Beef (tons) 3249 2219 Mutton (carcases) ... 310426 272952 Lamb (carcases).... 875513 981473 Wool (bales) 142146 131457 Wool transhipped * (bales) 2652 1998 Fruit (tons) 2785 —

EXPORTS.

Overseas (tons) 451329 427814 Coastal (tons) 107242 108186 Lighters (tons) ..... 9224 86533 Total . 650819 622533

SHIPPING.

Imports 23364 25299 Exports 26567 24755 Berthage' ...(. 4073 4429 Harbour department 12391 11869